Thursday, October 17, 2013

 BOOM! STUDIOS
ADOPTS 'PROTOCOL: ORPHANS'
FOR NOVEMBER!

 
  IMAGINE AGENTS Cover A by Khary Randolph    
  
 
October 17th, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA - In November, BOOM! Studios will debut their newest original series, PROTOCOL: ORPHANS, written by Michael Alan Nelson (DAY MEN, Supergirl) and illustrated by newcomer Mariano Navarro (DESCENDANT). It will ship with a main cover by Stephane Roux (Birds of Prey, GRACE RANDOLPH’S SUPURBIA). PROTOCOL: ORPHANS was created by actor and producer Peter Facinelli (Twilight Saga, Nurse Jackie) and producing partner Rob DeFranco (A7sle Films) and originally solicited under the title PROTOCOL in Diamond’s September Previews.
 
"I love a good espionage story," says BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. "PROTOCOL: ORPHANS delivers; it's a smart, stylish, and fast-paced thriller. If you miss shows like ‘Alias,’ you're in for a treat."
 
WHY WE LOVE IT: Written by Michael Alan Nelson (DAY MEN, Supergirl) and drawn by Mariano Navarro, PROTOCOL: ORPHANS is an action-packed espionage series with a compelling cast of young characters struggling with their transition into adulthood.
 
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Adopted by the government. Trained as deadly spies. Abandoned by everybody but each other. PROTOCOL: ORPHANS is a tense thriller perfect for fans of fun spy fiction like TV’s “Alias” or “Mission: Impossible.”
 
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Grabbed up by the United States government and thrown into training camps, orphans around the country have been raised to become America’s next generation of superspies. Now, as adults, they live amongst us, ready for “the family” to call them back into action.  
 
PROTOCOL: ORPHANS  #1 will arrive in stores on November 13th and carries a retail price of $3.99 under Diamond order code SEP130986. It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

 
ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, and other many great titles.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

BOOM! STUDIOS
UNLEASHES 'HELLRAISER ANNUAL'
ON HALLOWEEN!


 
  IMAGINE AGENTS Cover A by Khary Randolph    
  
 
October 16th, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA - Just in time for the scariest day of the year, BOOM! Studios is thrilled to release HELLRAISER 2013 ANNUAL #1, featuring stories by HELLRAISER creator Clive Barker with newcomer Ben Meares and HELLRAISER: THE DARK WATCH co-writer Brandon Seifert. Artists Jesús Hérvás (HELLRAISER) and Janusz Ordon (HELLRAISER) provide the interior artwork, while menton3 (The Memory Collectors) provides the chilling cover, featuring the three characters who have carried the mantle of Pinhead: Elliott Spencer, Kirsty Cotton, and Harry D’Amour.
 
WHY WE LOVE IT:  A big part of what makes HELLRAISER a horror classic is its expansive world and deep mythology, and annuals give us an opportunity to dive deeper!
 
WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT: Brandon Seifert created and writes one of our favorite horror procedurals, WITCH DOCTOR, and truly understands what makes the Cenobites tick.  
 
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In this extra-large special issue, Clive Barker, Brandon Seifert, and Ben Meares go even deeper into the mysteries of Leviathan and the war between Hells. This issue is a key piece of the HELLRAISER: THE DARK WATCH saga, and the effects of these stories will play out in upcoming issues.
 
HELLRAISER 2013 ANNUAL #1 will arrive in stores on October 30th and carries a retail price of $4.99 under Diamond order code AUG131135. It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, and other many great titles.
LOTTE VERBEEK CAST AS GEILLIS DUNCAN IN STARZ & SONY PICTURES TV’S “OUTLANDER”

From “Battlestar Galactica” Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore

Beverly Hills, Calif., October 16, 2013 – Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Lotte Verbeek (“The Borgias,” Left) will play the role of Geillis Duncan in the original series “Outlander.” The series, adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”), is currently filming on location in Scotland and is set to premiere on STARZ in 2014.

The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one epic tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

The enigmatic Geillis Duncan, wife of the procurator fiscal, is an integral part of the Outlander storyline. Commonly referred to as a witch, due to her advanced knowledge of herbs and plants, Geillis is a beautiful, dark presence in the village outside Castle Leoch. Many fear her, but come to her secretly when they need assistance with medical matters that most doctors of the time would shun. Geillis has mastered the art of manipulation and uses it to bend others, including her own husband, to her will. She and Claire share an immediate connection and Geillis becomes a friend to Claire in a time and place where she is seen as an outsider.
                                                                                                                      
Verbeek has most recently been seen in Showtime’s “The Borgias” as the ravishing mistress of the Pope, Guilia Farnese, opposite Jeremy Irons. In 2009, she earned a European Academy Award Best Actress nomination, for her performance in Nothing Personal opposite Stephen Rea. In addition, she was also chosen as one of Europe’s Shooting Stars and won the Best Actress Award at the International Film Festivals of Locarno and Marrakech, and nominated for the National Dutch Film Award, Golden Calf, for Best Actress. She also won the Best Actress Award at the Monte Carlo TV Film Festival for her work in Italian mini-series “The Queens of Swing.”  In 2007, she won her first leading role in a feature film, Left, in which she played five different characters. The film was awarded a Silver Melies in Sweden. She is currently working on the Fox 2000 Pictures studio feature film The Fault in our Stars as Lidewij, an assistant to a character played by Harrison Ford. She is a graduate of the Amsterdam Academy of Dramatic Arts, as well as the Amsterdam Academy of Jazz/Musical Theatre and Dance.

Verbeek joins previously announced cast members Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Tobias Menzies (Frank Randall/Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall), Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie), Gary Lewis (Colum MacKenzie), Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser), Annette Badland (Mrs. FitzGibbons) and Stephen Walters (Angus Mhor).

Verbeek is represented by Sheila Wenzel of Innovative Artists.

Diana Gabaldon’s seven-book series has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and has graced the New York Times best-sellers list six times. The eighth installment of the “Outlander” series is slated to be released in the spring of 2014.

The first two episodes of the series will be written by executive producer Ronald D. Moore and directed by John Dahl (“Dexter,” “Breaking Bad,” “Justified”). Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.
               
About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of June 30, 2013, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.9 million subscribers, including 21.8 million at STARZ, and 35.1 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms.  In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT has 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 15 countries outside the U.S. and also maintains offices in 32 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 124 channel feeds available in 159 countries, reaching more than 800 million households worldwide.  SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, premier horror/thriller website and VOD service FEARnet and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc.  SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in U.S. digital businesses including FEARnet, DrOz.com and PlayStation. 
###
“Outlander” Online
Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

IDW BRINGS MY LITTLE PONY TO YOUR POCKET
NEW MINI-COMICS TO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH COMIC AND RETAIL CHANNELS

San Diego, CA (October 15th, 2013)  Today, IDW announced a brand-new format in which fans can enjoy comics, the Micro-Fun Pack! This new mini-comic line will be available on November 15th, featuring four My Little Pony issues: Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Everyone’s favorite ponies will all be shrinking down to a new 5.75” x 3.75” size, designed to bring the world of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic into your school bags and pockets.

“These micro-fun packs are full of great surprises,” said IDW CEO and publisher, Ted Adams. “We’ve taken the comic and re-lettered it to adjust for the new size, then we’ve added a host of new content that will provide hours of fun. It’s a huge home run and we’re happy to continue the IDW tradition of delivering innovative, quality books.”

Each micro-fun pack comes with a complete 22-page micro-comic book that’s been re–formatted for the size. On top of adjusting for size, the content of the book has been updated as well, with a two-page My Little Pony play set splash page in the middle of each book, which provides the perfect backdrop for arranging the removable sticker also included in each pack. In addition, a three-page “How-to-Draw” tutorial has been added to each issue, sure to bring joy to any aspiring artist.  On top of the comic and sticker, each pack also contains one of 16 different foldout posters and tattoos. That means My Little Pony fans will have plenty of opportunity to collect and trade these goodies with their friends.

“These fun packs are going to really wow people,” said IDW’s director of new business Jerry Bennington. “The amount of content we’ve packed into such a small package is wonderful. Hopefully some fans out there will pick up these comics, start practicing the tips they learn in the “How-to-Draw” pages, and maybe they’ll be  auditioning for work with us some day. This is a product for fans both young and old. We want everyone to join in the fun!”

Available this November in select Walmart, Target and Toys R' Us stores, The My Little Pony Micro-Fun Pack is small in stature, but huge in fun! Pre-order yours now.

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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; and Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
PBS ANNOUNCES “SUPERHEROES NIGHT” ON OCTOBER 15th

– Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle to be shown in one three-hour programming block, beginning at 8pm ET (check local listings) –

Description: G:\PBS Programming\2013\Superheroes\Images\Liev Schreiber FINAL\SUPERHEROES__BER4266.jpg
Host and narrator Liev Schreiber
Credit: Courtesy of Stephanie Berger
ARLINGTON, VA;  SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 – PBS announced today that Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is “Superheroes Night,” featuring a three-hour block dedicated to the groundbreaking program SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE.  The newest film from Emmy Award-winning producer/director Michael Kantor (BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL; MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: THE FUNNY BUSINESS OF AMERICA) will premiere at 8:00 p.m. ET and include insightful interviews from Stan Lee; actors Adam West (TV’s “Batman”) and Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”); Geoff Johns (chief creative officer, DC Comics), Jeph Loeb (head of television for Marvel Entertainment); Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and cartoonist/author Jules Feiffer (the long-running strip “Feiffer”), as well as appearances by the late comic book icons Joe Simon (co-creator of Captain America) and Jerry Robinson (who helped create the Joker). A full list of interviewees who appear in the show is located at the end of the release.

SUPERHEROES, cowritten by Kantor and Laurence Maslon, was initially to premiere October 8 and play over three weeks, but the series will now be a one-evening event of super entertainment.

Narrated and hosted by Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Showtime’s Ray Donovan), SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is the first documentary to examine the dawn of the comic book genre and its powerful legacy, as well as the evolution of the characters who leapt from the pages over the last 75 years and their ongoing worldwide cultural impact. It chronicles how these “disposable diversions” were subject to intense government scrutiny for their influence on American children and how they were created, in large part, by the children of immigrants whose fierce loyalty to a new homeland laid the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar industry that is now an influential part of our national identity.

“SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is one of the most comprehensive surveys of the vibrant comic book industry ever created; it explores cultural histories in an entertaining and educational way — just as PBS viewers have come to expect,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President, Programming and Talent Management for PBS.

SUPERHEROES will be presented in three one-hour parts:

PART ONE, 8 PM: “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” (1938-1958)
During the Depression, the popularity of dozens of superhero characters opens the door for a new generation of artists and writers. World War II creates a patriotic fervor for star-spangled adventurers to represent the American spirit at war and on the home front, but in the 1950s, superheroes are caught in the fire of government scrutiny and regulation. When the thrilling “Adventures of Superman” is broadcast on the new medium of television, America’s first and greatest superhero leads the entire comic book industry to renewed strength.

PART TWO, 9 PM: “Great Power, Great Responsibility” (1959-1977)
In the 1960s, a new breed of superhero emerges in the pages of Marvel Comics, inspired by the age of atomic energy and space travel and, in turn, inspiring the pop culture and pop artists of the time. Spider-Man, the Hulk and others are the first to have “problems” with which an adult audience can identify, and contemporary social issues make their way into comic books. Black powerhouses such as the Black Panther and Luke Cage appear on the scene, and the pages of “Green Lantern/Green Arrow” explode with relevant storylines as comic books are forced to confront the reality of an increasingly complex world.

PART THREE, 10 PM “A Hero Can Be Anyone” (1978-Present)
Modern enthusiasm for superheroes has been embraced in all forms of media and by all demographics, beginning with the historic Superman movie featuring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. In 1986, Batman is overhauled as The Dark Knight to reflect the nocturnal underside of his character, and Watchmen bring new sophistication to comic book narratives, illuminating a violent and politicized world. In the burgeoning new millennium, superheroes have taken over popular culture with feature films, television shows and video games complementing a new generation of web-based comics that bring superhero adventures to every corner of the world. 

A new book based on SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE, titled Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture and penned by series co-writer Laurence Maslon and filmmaker Michael Kantor, will be available October 1, 2013, from Crown Archetype, a division of Random House. This stunning companion volume tells the story of the superhero in American pop culture, with interviews, character biographies and more than 500 illustrations both essential and rare.

PBS Distribution will release the DVD and Blu-ray version of SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE on October 15, 2013, coinciding with the PBS broadcast. The DVD will be available for a suggested retail price of $24.99 and the Blu-ray will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99. The running time is 180 minutes and will include exclusive extra features.

SUPERHEROES: A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE is produced by Ghost Light Films in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Along with PBS, major funding for the series was supplied by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Founded in 1996, Ghost Light Films created the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated six-part PBS series Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America, which was hosted by Billy Crystal and produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, in association with BBC-TV. In 2005, Ghost Light Films produced three hours of documentary material to accompany the 40th anniversary re-release of the film The Sound of Music, including a documentary hosted by Julie Andrews. That same year, Ghost Light garnered the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction series for Broadway: The American Musical with Thirteen/WNET New York, NHK Japan and BBC in association with Carlton International. Most recently Ghost Light created Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy (narrated by Joel Grey) for the GREAT PERFORMANCES series on PBS. For more information, visit www.ghostlightfilms.net

In addition to the names listed earlier in this release, the full list of interviewees who appear in SUPERHEROES includes: artist Neal Adams, Ed Catto (Bonfire Agency), writer Chris Claremont, writer Gerry Conway, writer Paul Dini, writer Mark Evanier, writer and editor Danny Fingeroth, historian William Foster, artist Ramona Fradon, artist Irwin Hasen, the late artist Carmine Infantino, writer and artist Phil Jiminez, writer Gerard Jones, publisher Jenette Kahn, the late artist Joe Kubert, artist and co-publisher of DC Comics Jim Lee, comic store owner Mike Malve, artist/writer Todd McFarlane, screenwriter Ashley Miller, writer Grant Morrison, writer Gary Phillips, writer/editor Denny O’Neil, writer Trina Robbins, chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment Joe Quesada, casting director Andrea Romano, artist/designer Arlen Schumer, writer Louise Simonson, writer/artist Walt Simonson, Man of Steel director Zack Snyder, artist/writer Jim Steranko, writer J. Michael Straczynski, colorist Christina Strain, writer/editor Mark Waid, writer/editor Len Wein, writer Marv Wolfman and author Bradford Wright. The SUPERHEROES website is online at PBS.org/superheroes.

About PBS
PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 120 million people through television and over 29 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
Darwyn Cooke To Illustrate Parker Prose Novels At IDW
Donald E. Westlake’s Classic Stories Accompanied By Gorgeous Paintings By Cooke
 
San Diego, CA (October 13, 2013) – IDW Publishing announced this morning its plan to expand their relationship with Darwyn Cooke and the Estate of Donald E. Westlake to include illustrated Parker novels. Cooke, who will continue producing his award-winning Parker graphic novel series for IDW, will now also illustrate Westlake's ground-breaking crime novels. For the first time, the Parker novels will be published in a deluxe, hardcover format, and with Cooke designing the series, as well as providing stunning color illustrations to accompany Westlake's (AKA, Richard Stark's) crime classics! The first book, The Hunter, will arrive in the first half of 2014. Additional editions will be released in chronological order thereafter.
 
"The Parker novels written by Donald Westlake had a profound effect on me as a young man," said Darwyn Cooke, "to first be able to adapt them in graphic novel form, and now to illustrate his prose as well… for me, it just doesn't get much better than this."
 
Darwyn Cooke and IDW Publishing have released three Parker graphic novels to date, with the trio winning multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards. The fourth graphic novel, Richard Stark's Parker: Slayground, will be released in December.
 
Richard Stark was the most famous pseudonym of world-renowned author Donald E. Westlake. In 1962 he created the master thief Parker and began a series of novels that have been recognized as seminal works in crime fiction. Several of Westlake's books have been adapted by Hollywood, including PARKER earlier this year. He has won numerous awards for his fiction, including being named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, that prestigious society's highest honor.
 
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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; and Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
Charles Schulz’s Long-Running Classic Heads To IDW
‘Peanuts’ To Join The Artist’s Edition Library

San Diego, CA (October 12, 2013) – The esteemed entertainment property, Peanuts, will be returning this winter due to a newly formed partnership with IDW and Peanuts Worldwide—but you’ve never seen Charlie Brown & the gang quite like this! Presented in the acclaimed Artist’s Edition format, Charles Schulz’s revered comic strip will be a welcome and important addition to the Artist’s Edition library, and the first one devoted entirely to a comic strip.

Peanuts, with its cast of iconic characters, has become an American institution. Debuting in 1950 and running until 2000, the strip was framed around the life and interactions of the lovable blockhead who never gives up, Charlie Brown, and his charming array of companions. Written and drawn by Schulz, the strip was translated into 21 different languages, and syndicated in over 2,600 newspapers. The diverse characters of Peanuts became mainstays of pop culture: from Lucy’s psychiatric stand, Schroeder’s piano, the kite-eating-tree, Snoopy’s doghouse, and Charlie Brown’s eternal quest to kick that football—these are images as compelling today as when Schulz first created them a half century ago.

"Having grown up with Charlie Brown, Linus and his blanket, Snoopy and the Red Baron...I could not be happier about bringing them into the IDW family," said Ted Adams, CEO and Publisher of IDW Publishing, "In the world of comic art, it does not get any bigger than Peanuts."

Charles Schulz spent the majority of his career writing and drawing the Peanuts comic strip and was the recipient of numerous awards and citations throughout his life for his influential work. Schulz is “arguably the most influential comic strip creator of the second-half of the 20th century, his importance to comics and comics history cannot be understated,” said editor Scott Dunbier. As Editor of the Artist’s Editions, Dunbier, along with the rest of IDW, are honored to publish the timeless creations of Charles Schulz.

What is an Artist's Edition? Artist's Editions are printed the same size as the original art. While appearing to be in black & white, each page has been scanned in COLOR to mimic as closely as possible the experience of viewing the actual original art-for example, you are able to clearly see paste-overs, blue pencils in the art, editorial notes, art corrections. Each page is printed the same size as drawn, and the paper selected is as close as possible to the original art board.

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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; and Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
JIM STERANKO MARVEL ARTIST'S EDITIONS ARE ON THEIR WAY!
IDW To Produce Two Deluxe Books Of Artist's Classic Works

San Diego, CA (October  12, 2013) – Legendary comics artist Jim Steranko will be the subject of not one but two Artist's Editions from IDW Publishing, with nearly all pages shot from the artist's personal art collection. Steranko, one of the great innovators in comics history, produced a comparatively small body of work for the House of Ideas from the mid-1960s to the early '70s, most notably his runs on Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Captain America.

The first volume, Steranko Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist's Edition, will feature the initial twelve stories by Steranko that appeared in Strange Tales #151 through #162. All of these stories were drawn in the "twice up" format, meaning the original art is rendered at twice the size of the printed comic. The final book will measure 15 x 22 inches and is currently scheduled for release in May of 2014.

"I believe that I changed Nick Fury's life as much as he changed mine," Steranko says, "and looking over the original art again celebrates a flood of memories evincing the kind of rampant, seismic creativity that went into their creation. I can see my artistic evolution expand by the story, even by the page, and revisiting that experience can be simultaneously reassuring and shocking—a kind of microcosm of comic book history. As one of the architects of the Marvel Age, I'm pleased to share the sweep and nuance of the S.H.I.E.L.D. epic with all my fans and friends."

The second volume, Steranko Nick Fury and Captain America Artist's Edition, will collect the remaining Nick Fury stories from Strange Tales 163-168, as well as issues 1, 3, and 5 of the Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. comic series. As icing on the cake, Steranko's three stellar issues of Captain America will also be included. This volume will measure 12 x 17 inches, and the release date is still to be determined.

“Jim Steranko’s impact on comics as an art form cannot be understated,” said editor Scott Dunbier. “He is an artist and trailblazer of the highest order.”

WHAT IS AN ARTIST’S EDITION?  AN ARTIST'S EDITION PRESENTS COMPLETE STORIES WITH EACH PAGE SCANNED FROM THE ACTUAL ORIGINAL ART.
While appearing to be in black and white, each page was scanned in color to mimic as closely as possible the experience of viewing the actual original art—for instance, corrections and blue pencils. Each page is printed the same size as drawn, and the paper selected is as close as possible to the original art board.


About Marvel Entertainment 

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt DisneyCompany, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com.

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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; and Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
 
IDW TO PUBLISH ARTIST'S EDITIONS OF
JACK KIRBY'S NEW GODS AND
DAVE GIBBONS' WATCHMEN
Seminal Works From DC Entertainment To Be Collected In Award-Winning Format

San Diego, CA (October 12, 2013) – IDW Publishing dropped a bombshell today, announcing two blockbuster Artist's Editions produced under license from DC Entertainment. And these offerings are truly blockbusters—Jack Kirby's New Gods Artist's Edition and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen Artifact Edition. For the first time ever, readers will be able to see up close Kirby's energy and dynamic storytelling, and Gibbons' intricately designed and beautifully realized pages, as they never have before—as close as possible to how they looked on the artist's drawing boards!

Jack Kirby's New Gods Artist's Edition will be released in March and feature five complete issues of Kirby's inaugural Fourth World book. Kirby, often called the King of Comics, is arguably the most important and influential comics creator of all time. His work on New Gods, which he wrote as well as drew, clearly reinforces that notion. Filled with amazing imagery and giant concepts, this book will measure 12 x 17 inches.

Dave Gibbons' Watchmen will debut later in the year. Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, is the story most often cited as the greatest graphic novel ever published. This Artist’s Edition will be atypical in that the stories will not be complete, and will be an Artifact Edition, the first released by IDW. It will be produced to the same exacting standards as an Artist's Edition, and will feature a cornucopia of individual pages and covers from Watchmen, each image a testament to Gibbons' elegant and nuanced style. This book will also measure 12 x 17 inches.

“IDW’s Artist’s Editions are among my very favorite comic art books of all time, so I’m thrilled that they’re publishing a Watchmen collection,” said series artist Dave Gibbons.

“We’re equally thrilled,” said IDW President Greg Goldstein. “Watchmen is obviously one of the most acclaimed and influential series of all time, and New Gods is arguably the greatest of Kirby’s works during his tenure at DC. It’s a true privilege to publish these books.”

“Wow,” added editor Scott Dunbier, “there's not really a lot more to say, is there?”

WHAT IS AN ARTIST’S EDITION? AN ARTIST'S EDITION PRESENTS COMPLETE STORIES WITH EACH PAGE SCANNED FROM THE ACTUAL ORIGINAL ART.
While appearing to be in black and white, each page was scanned in color to mimic as closely as possible the experience of viewing the actual original art—for instance, corrections and blue pencils. Each page is printed the same size as drawn, and the paper selected is as close as possible to the original art board.

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About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint.

IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; and Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.
NYCC: WHEDONVERSE ENTERS TENTH SEASON!
Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel & Faith Return in 2014!
 
New York NY – Announced at New York Comic Con, Dark Horse is bringing the Whedonverse into it’s tenth season with the help of fan favorite authors, Christos Gage and Victor Gischler. 
 
“In Buffy, Season 10 is going to be about bringing friendships back together, while in Angel & Faith, relationships are shattered. Magic is starting to come back into the world, but in some surprising ways, like that vampire we saw standing in the sunlight at the end of Season 9,” says Editor in Chief Scott Allie.
 
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 is slated for 30 issues, written by Christos Gage and illustrated by Rebekah Issacs, with covers by long time series artist, Steve Morris.
 
“The Buffyverse community has been wonderfully welcoming to Rebekah and me. It's a tremendous honor for Joss and Dark Horse to trust us with their flagship book, and we are going to do all we can to be worthy of that trust. It's a new season, with new rules...but hopefully the same blend of love, action, horror, humor and creativity that's made Buffy and her Scoobies part of all our families. We hope you'll join us for the ride,” states Christos Gage
 
Angel & Faith is also slated for a 30 issue run, written by Victor Gischler and illustrated by Will Conrad, with covers by Scott Fischer.
 
"I was proud and privileged to have a small part in season nine, and I can't express how grateful I am to have an expanded role in season ten.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains an iconic television show, and the Dark Horse comics continue that great tradition.  I plan on having a lot of fun." Says Angel & Faith series writer Victor Gischler
 
“I'm very happy that our Angel & Faith artist has hopped over to Buffy, allowing our Buffy artist to jump over to Serenity. And to make the game of musical chairs complete, the guy who draw the first two Serenity miniseries is back in the loop, taking over Angel & Faith. These are all artists Joss and the writers and I are comfortable working with, and who are cozy with these characters, so it's nice to shake things up a bit while having a lot of confidence in what these artists can do. And I'm so happy to have Will back,” adds Scott Allie.
 
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 #1 hits stands March 19th and Angel & Faith Season 10 #1 is on sale April 2nd in comic shops everywhere!

For more information, catch the exclusive interview on Comic Book Resources! 
 
About Dark Horse
Founded in1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, Guillermo Del Toro and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE: Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.
 
 
About Fox Consumer Products
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third-party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.
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